Descent into Tartarus

by David Thompson

Inside Megaera's cell, she was stretched out on the floor. The room was pitch black, as she wanted the darkness. She was bone tired and sleep was difficult.

  She heard a scratching noise and her eyes popped open. She looked towards the door as it opened. There was an odd yellow light. She silently stood up and tensed. Ready to leap and take the guard.

  A figure appeared, and she rushed. She slid to a stop as she realized it was Dan. She let out a sharp yelp, pulling him into a tight hug.

  "Dan! Oh my God, Dan!" Megaera managed to say between kisses. Then she held him out at arm's length. "Dear Zeus, what the fuck are you doing here? You're a mortal! How did you get here!"

  "I came to rescue you," Dan said, trying to catch his breath. He broke away and looked out the cell door. He started to shut the door.

  "Stop! If it closes, it locks. There's no key slot on this side," Megaera explained. "How in hell did you escape?"

  Dan jammed his jacket between the door and the wall. He turned back around to Meg. "Some young woman helped me escape. I think they were going to have me executed this morning."

  "What? Just who was the young woman?" Megaera demanded.

  "I have no idea who she was. Just some young woman. I saw her when that big guy was asking me a lot of questions," Dan answered.

  "Okay, never mind. What's in the backpack?" Megaera took the pack and started untying her bow from the side. "My bow! My dagger!"

  "Tisiphone said the bow needs new strings, so I stopped at a store on my way to your house."

  "Aw! How sweet!" Megaera said as she tested the bow. She then pulled her armor out and held it up. "This is perfect! Help me get into this. I have some demon ass to kick."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes." Megaera said as she removed her filthy shirt. "I may be with child, but I can still kick-ass. Now help me put this on!"

  Dan helped her as she struggled into the bronze breastplate. The entire unit was strapped together.

  "Dammit! I used to just slip into this!" She twisted and pulled, Dan was helping as best as he could.

  "This leather is almost rotted away."

  "Dan, just fix it!"

  "You know, sometimes a person can't fit into an outfit they wore when they were younger–"

  "Fix it!" Megaera shouted.

  As Dan fumbled with the leather straps, Megaera was holding onto her breasts. "Look at this! They're huge now!"

  "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Dan asked while trying to thread the strap into the back part of the armor.

  "You didn't give me time," Megaera growled. "Just loosen the other strap, okay?"

  "Are you sure you're okay to do this?" Dan asked, looking at her with concern.

  "Dan, sweetie. Strap me the fuck in before I knock you into next week," she said through clenched teeth.

  Dan quickly loosed the remaining strap and Megaera slid into the armor. He pulled the straps as she wiggled herself into the form-fitting bronze.

  "Check to see if that guard is back," she said as she picked up her bow.

  Dan slowly pulled the cell door back and peeked out. The guard was still absent, but another demon was walking the corridor.

  "The guard is gone, but there's a... Something out there," Dan whispered.

  Megaera had her bow ready and had notched a single arrow. "When I say, open the door." She put her eye to the crack and watched. "Now!"

  Dan pulled on the door and Megaera stepped into the hallway and let an arrow fly. It burst into flames as soon as it was released. It hit the demon warrior in the neck, removing its head.

  Dan watched with his eyes wide. Megaera stepped over to the demon and dragged its corpse into the cell. "Be a dear and go get that head, okay sweetie? It's bad form to leave body parts all over the place."

  Dan dashed out, grabbed the head, and ran back into the cell. As he entered, Megaera was bent over the corpse, and was cutting into this abdomen.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Making new bow strings. I use the guts of my enemy. In this case, a demon." She pulled on the entrails and began slicing. She paused and looked at the gore on her hands, then she quickly bent over, and started heaving.

  Dan rushed to her side and steadied her. "You're a Fury and blood makes you sick?"

  She shook her head and took a deep breath. "No, asshole. It's morning sickness." She stood up, wiping her mouth the with her shirt. "This is your fault."

  "May I remind you that you pursued me?"

  "No, and never bring it up again," Megaera said as she went back to twisting entrails to craft a new bowstring. "Oh, sweetie, can you also go get that arrow? I don't have very many, and until I can make some more..."

  Dan just nodded and peeked out the door. The corridor was clear, so he dashed out and grabbed the arrow that was laying near another cell door. He returned as Megaera was restringing her bow.

  "Thank you, honey. Get ready to move. Do you know the way of this place?"

  "I paid attention when they brought me in, and when I was dragged to the head guy, so yeah, I have a good idea," Dan answered. "The guard that was outside your cell left when I think they found out I wasn't in my cell."

  "We have to be careful. They're hunting for you," Megaera pointed out. She turned her pale blue eyes to Dan. She moved closer to him and smiled. "Wow. I'd heard about this, but never felt it before."

  "What?"

  "Love. This has to be love! Yes, this is love," Megaera said, kissing him quickly. She turned to the door. "You know? I watched mortals fall in love for thousands of years. But this is different. Feels... Wild."

  "Yeah?"

  "I know. You fell in love, too, when we locked eyes in the store, right after you popped that guy. So heroic." Her eyes narrowed. "You damned well better love me back, buster!"

  She slid to the cell door, kicked Dan's jacket out of the way and peered outside.

  "Grab your stuff, we're getting out of here," Megaera said as she stepped out into the hallway, and somehow, she was able to make her blonde hair flow backwards. Dan followed, clutching his backpack.

  Megaera tossed aside any idea of a stealthy escape, and strutted down the center of the hallway, daring any demons to cross her path.

  Dan joined her and they walked to the end of the hallway and stepped out into a junction. Dan nodded to his right, and they began walking down what was the main corridor.

  As they passed one hallway, Megaera spotted another cell being guarded. She stopped and stepped back, then edged closer to look down the corridor.

  "Who's in that one?" she whispered.

  "I have no idea."

  "I bet it's someone important, or that guard would be off hunting for you," Megaera pointed out. She paused a moment, then stepped out into the corridor. She notched another arrow and as the R'gier turned at the noise, she let the arrow fly. It burst into flame and hit the demon squarely in the chest. He dropped.

  Megaera walked down the hallway and looked at the door. She reached down and pulled the arrow out and waved at Dan. "Honey, come on! Let's see who's in this one."

  Dan joined her as she slid the dagger into the door slot. The door clicked open, and they peered inside.

  "Make me one of those light things, please," Megaera asked. Dan cracked a light stick and gave it to her. She held it in front of her and opened the door further. Yellow green light flooded the cell.

  In the center was a figure laying on the floor. He turned his head as Megaera entered.

  "Boss! Hades!" Megaera shouted.

  The god sat up, then stood. He was a good foot taller than Dan. He rushed to Megaera and took her in his arms. As they embraced, Dan took a moment to size up the god Hades. Tall, rail thin, dressed in all black, with a bald head and a roman nose. But it was his eyes: Pale Blue. When he looked at you, the look went to your soul.

  "Ah, Megaera, my dear," Hades said quietly. He held her at arms' length, and then his attention was directed to Dan. "I had given up that I would ever be released."

  "We weren't
released. He escaped, then freed me," Megaera said. "Lord Hades, meet Dan, my ..." Megaera was at a loss for words.

  "Uhm, new man? My husband?" Megaera said, smiling.

  "Oh?" Hades said. "Please to meet you, young man." Hades held out a massive hand. He gripped Dan's hand softly.

  "Can we leave now?" Dan asked.

  "Yes, that would be the best possible course of action," Hades said, leaving the cell.

  "How did they keep you in there?" Dan asked.

  "I designed the entire prison to dampen all powers. It was designed to keep a being like Sorath held without any chance of escape. I was caught in my own design," Hades said as they exited his cell. "Tell me, either one of you have any weapons?"

  Dan dug out his Glock and held it up. "I have this."

  "That's nice, son. I meant a real weapon like a sword. In case we have to fight to get clear of the damping field," Hades said, waving aside the gun. "Those do not work down here."

  Hades knew the layout of the prison block, so he led the trio down endless corridors, then across open passages and then down a short flight of stairs. The entire place seemed deserted, but a group of R'giers ran past, heading deeper into the building.

  Once the demons ran past, Hades led them down more stairs and to a main hallway, large and open. It ended with a pair of double doors.

  "That is the exit. Get ready to run. There's likely to be a lot of activity outside," Hades warned. He pushed open one door, and they spilled out on a vast open area, shrouded in darkness.

  A R'gier was assembling some guards few hundred yards away. As one, the guards turned as Hades and company exited the building.

  "I must get a bit further out; the damping field is still strong until I can get to that clearing. Megaera, dear, perhaps you should move yourself and this young man in the opposite direction as soon as possible," Hades suggested. "We'll meet in my Palace."

  "Not possible. I'm pregnant and my powers have disappeared," Megaera confessed.

  Hades watched as the group of guards began charging in their direction.

  "Unfortunate time to have no powers. Hold on to me," Hades suggested.

  As soon as Megaera touched him, he began running to his left. Dan caught up and reached for Megaera's hand. He was barely able to keep up. For an elder god, Hades ran like the wind. They ran full speed to an open area past the prison.

  The R'gier had closed to within a sword length from Dan when the landscape shifted.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Dan had felt this sensation before when Megaera took him on a fast tour of ancient Greece. This time he knew it wasn't drugged wine.

  The trio didn't even miss a step. One second; they were rushing away from the prison, a dozen guards on their tail, with another dozen rushing to cut them off.

  The next, they were running across the main patio outside the main doors to the Palace.

  Dan let go of Megaera's hand, slowed down and bent over, breathing heavily. Megaera was just as out of breath. Hades looked ready to run another hundred yards. Hades glanced at the main doors, which stood open. No one guarding the Palace.

  He straightened up and walked through the doors and into the grand hallway of the palace. Megaera and Dan followed. They all heard a clicking and scrabbling noise. Around a corner at the far end of the hallway appeared Spot, his legs trying to maintain purchase as he ran, the huge tongue flapping in the wind. Hades grinned widely and dropped to one knee. When Spot collided with his master, Hades was knocked back a foot, but maintained his balance.

  Not far behind, Persephone was following, trying not to run. She gave up and ran, her long gown was flowing outward as she leapt into Hades' arms, clutching him tightly. He stood and lifted her a foot off the floor.

  Dan looked at Megaera and saw she was holding back tears.

  "I don't know what's wrong with me," she sniffed. She wiped at the tears, and visible relaxed. "I don't know about you, but I need a long bath and some food."

  Hades let his wife down and turned to his rescuers. "Yes! We all could use that." He turned to Persephone and said, "Any servants still around?"

  "Yes, as soon as I heard you, I alerted them all. Dan, you can use the same room as before. Megaera, I have a suite you can use as well."

  Megaera pulled Dan to her side. "Where he goes, I go."

  Persephone arched one eyebrow, shrugged, and turned to lead them deeper into the palace.

  Persephone led Dan and Megaera to the same room he'd stayed in earlier. She walked to a far wall and opened a curtain. A large bath was revealed. "The bath linens are in the chest. You can find suitable clothing in the armoire. I'll have a servant bring up some men's clothing."

  As soon as the door was shut, Megaera pulled Dan into an embrace. He started to kiss her when she held him at arm's length. "Bath first, before anything else. Help me get this off, sweetie?"

  Dan just grinned and started unbuckling the leather straps.

  After an hour, both had bathed, dried off and were laying together on the bed, napping. The door opened slightly, and Spot trotted in. He pressed his nose against Megaera's bare back and she jerked awake.

  Dan sat up. "I think dinner is ready," he said as he swung his legs off the side of the bed.

  Megaera sat up and stretched. Dan admired the view, grinning. "Watch it. I don't want to be late to eat."

  She stood up and went to the armoire, opened it, and began sorting through the clothing. She held up a pale-yellow gown, shrugged and slipped it over her head.

  She smoothed the fabric down her hips and looked into the full-length mirror beside the armoire.

  "I approve," Dan said. He was buttoning a white shirt, which was a few centuries out of style for him. He knew enough about vintage clothing to fold the cuffs back and hunt for cuff-links.

  "Check out the puffy sleeves," Dan remarked. "I look like a pirate!"

  While he was wrapping a sash around his waist, Persephone poked her head in, and knocked lightly.

  "Meg! That looks nice on you," she remarked as she opened the door.

  Megaera smiled did a fashion spin, showing off the gown.

  "I've grown a bit heavier since I was here last, it's about the only thing that fits," Megaera admitted.

  "How can you grow heavier?" Persephone looked puzzled. Then she looked into Megaera's eyes and suddenly smiled. "Wow. Really? Who? Him?"

  "Yes. Mother says he’s distantly related to a goddess," Megaera told her.

  "Well, dinner is ready," Persephone said as she took Megaera's arm and walked her into the hallway, followed by Dan and Spot.

  The dining room was brightly lit, with eight guests already seated. Hades stood as Persephone entered the room. She took her place next to her husband. There were two empty seats to Hades' right, and he waved Dan to the seat next to him.

  "Friends, this is the man of the hour. The hero, Dan," Hades said. Dan's ears turned red. Megaera smiled and rubbed his ear.

  "He's modest as well!" Hades said, laughing. "Dan, the Palace welcomes you, and my friends welcome you as well!"

  Hades made brief introductions, most were a who's who of mythology. Hecate sat next to Megaera, followed by Angelia, daughter of Zeus and Hera, all honored friends of Hades.

  As soon as Dan took a place next to Megaera, Hades sat and just nodded.

  Dan didn't see who he nodded to, but suddenly a stream of servants appeared carrying serving platters. This time, the meal was far larger and more of a production than when Dan was last at the table.

  Hades poured some wine and raised his goblet. "We don't stick to formal dining rules, but I propose a toast. To my hero, the mortal, Dan!"

  The guests each raised their glasses and Dan sat, looking uncomfortable.

  "He's a quiet one, isn't he?" Hades remarked after he took a drink. "Unlike most mortal heroes." Several of the guests laughed.

  Dan slowly nodded to his host and took a drink. Like the wine Megaera had brought over, this wine was dark, smooth, and well balanced.

/>   "I just did what I felt I had to do, I wasn't about to let Megaera stay in that prison without at least trying," Dan said. "In fact, if it wasn't for a young woman helping me escape, I wouldn't be alive."

  "Yes, sweetie. Who was this girl?" Megaera said, her eyebrow arching up.

  "I have no idea. She was in the main room where I was being threatened and questioned," Dan said.

  "Describe her," Persephone suggested.

  "Well, short, quite thin. A bit of a rebel. Maybe fourteen, or so," Dan replied. "Multiple colored hair, probably naturally reddish blonde, like yours, ma'am. Cut short on the side, and long on the other side."

  "That's quite the description," Hades commented.

  "On the surface, he's a police officer, so he's got a good eye," Megaera explained, not taking her eyes off of Dan.

  Persephone and Hades exchanged glances. He cleared his throat. "She's quite a bit older than fourteen, and I know who she is."

  "I wonder what he offered her to release him," Persephone said, her eyes locked on Hades' eyes.

  "What?" Dan asked.

  "That is my daughter, Melinoe. Our youngest," Hades admitted, "and most difficult. I had little else to occupy my mind during my captivity, and I spent most of that time on who it might have been. I was betrayed, you see."

  "I heard the tale," Dan said.

  They all ate in silence for a few minutes. As another round of wine was poured by the demon butler, Hades sat back.

  "One of my weaknesses is being a doting father. I'm afraid the girl was conned. I just hope she gets out of Tartarus intact," Hades said, looking down at his wine. "And if she does, I may have several tasks ahead for her, in a way to restore my faith."

  "She was always a rebel, a difficult child to raise," Persephone admitted.

  Hades frowned and looked up. "Okay. Another weakness I have is for heroes and their stories. I imagine you have several stories to share, sir."

  "What? Me?" Dan said, after swallowing a bit of roasted meat.

  "I know he does. Don't you, sweetie," Megaera said.

  Dan glanced around the table. All eyes were on him. He sipped more wine, which helped to loosen his tongue.

  "Well, there was this one time when a friend of mine and I were almost attacked by a wild animal," Dan said. He took another sip of wine. "This happened years ago, in an area called Texas. I was a police officer in a city called Dallas, and my best friend was also a cop, a detective."